How to use Advair?
Use Advair exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use the medication in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Advair comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use, and directions for priming the inhaler device. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Do not use Advair to treat an asthma attack that has already begun. It will not work fast enough. Use only a fast-acting inhalation medication to treat an asthma attack. Talk with your doctor if any of your asthma medications do not seem to work as well in treating or preventing asthma attacks.Advair Diskus is a powder form of fluticasone and salmeterol that comes with a special inhaler device preloaded with blister packs containing measured doses of the medicine. The device opens and loads a blister each time you use the inhaler. This device is not to be used with a spacer.
Do not exhale or blow into the Diskus device. Do not take the device apart or allow it to get wet. Do not reuse the Advair Diskus device. Throw it away 1 month after you have taken it out of the foil pouch, or if the dose indicator shows a zero, whichever comes first. Each Diskus device contains 60 doses.
Advair HFA is an aerosol form of fluticasone and salmeterol that comes in a canister that is used with an actuator inhaler device. Use only the inhaler device provided with Advair HFA. This device is not to be used with a spacer.
Shake the Advair HFA inhaler for at least 5 seconds before each spray. When using the inhaler for the first time, prime it by spraying 4 test sprays into the air, away from your face. Shake the canister for 5 seconds before each spray. Also prime the inhaler if you have not used it in more than 4 weeks, or if you have dropped the canister.Keep track of the number of sprays you have used and throw away the Advair HFA canister after 120 sprays, even if it feels like there is still medicine in it.
To reduce the chance of developing a yeast infection in your mouth, rinse with water after using Advair. Do not swallow.
It is important to use Advair regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
Call your doctor right away if you feel that this medicine is not working as well as usual, or if it makes your condition worse. An increased need for medication could be an early sign of a serious asthma attack. If you use a peak flow meter at home, call your doctor if your numbers are lower than normal.Asthma is usually treated with a combination of different drugs. To best treat your condition, use all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without advice from your doctor.
If you were switched from an oral (taken by mouth) steroid to Advair, you may need to go back to taking the oral medicine if you are under stress or have an asthma attack or other medical emergency. Carry an identification card or wear a medical alert ID to let others know that you may need an oral steroid in an emergency. Store Advair at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the Atrovent HFA canister away from high heat, such as open flame or in a car on a hot day. The canister may explode if it gets too hot.
